While he’s thrilled to be sticking around in purple, Caleb Jewell remains as focused as ever on continuing to perform in red ball cricket ahead of another possible Australia A cap.
While he admits other formats continue to take priority over twenty-twenty cricket, the re-signed Caleb Jewell is as eager as ever to bring a maiden BBL title to the Hobart Hurricanes.
The 26 year-old already had another year to run on his current deal but put pen to paper on a fresh two-year contract extension on Tuesday with the local opener now set to be in purple until at least 2026.
Jewell, who will fly to Brisbane on Friday for Australia A duties, said it was an easy decision to continue on at Blundstone Arena after a career-best summer in all formats of the game last year.
“It’s always nice to get a bit of security and feel wanted where you want to be,” Jewell said.
“It’s sort of been a little bit of a frustrating spell so far for me with the Hurricanes.
“I haven’t really shown what I’m capable of but I think I took a step in the right direction last year and hopefully now with three years (on my deal), I can get to where I want to be.”
After being left out of the playing XI for the first three games of last season, Jewell came in to make back-to-back half centuries in his first two outings and finish as the Hurricanes’ third-highest run scorer for the tournament.
But after producing even better performances for the Tasmanian Tigers in both one and four-day formats, the prodigal talent said his main focus was continuing to perform strongly in red ball cricket.
“For me the long form of the game is always going to take priority,” he said.
“The pinnacle for me is red ball cricket but I still love playing for Hobart and hopefully we can put something (successful) together.”
After making a 66-run opening stand for Australia A back in April, Jewell said he was pleased to once again be selected in the squad for the four-day matches against New Zealand that begin next week but understood the competition for spots to break into the national side was at an all-time high.
“I feel pretty lucky to be there to be honest,” Jewell said.
“There is probably a few guys that are missing out, like a (Matt) Renshaw and (Marcus) Harris, so I wouldn’t say it’s a free hit but it’s an opportunity.
“I’m realistic (on Australian selection). I know that there are guys in front of me at the moment but all I can do is put runs on the board and you never know.”
Jewell’s opening Tigers partner Tim Ward has also been named in the squad while Tim Paine will also be on hand for his first match as an assistant coach.
Originally published as Caleb Jewell re-signs with Hobart Hurricanes ahead of Australia A duties